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Greek PM condemns racist abuse against Antetokounmpo

Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras on Thursday came out in support of Panathinaikos basketball player Thanasis Antetokounmpo who was the target of racist abuse last weekend.

Tsipras posted a picture of himself on Instagram wearing the Greek national team’s jersey bearing the name of Antetokounmpo.

“Respect and pride for the people who were born and raised here and made Greece their own country. Zero tolerance to racism and hatred,” Tsipras said in his message.

Controversial TV sports commentator Takis Tsoukalas described Antetokounmpo, who was born in Greece to Nigerian migrants, as a “monkey” during a program on Extra channel after the player had helped his team beat archrivals Olympiakos in a EuroLeague game last Friday.

Tsoukalas faces charges under anti-racist laws and has been summoned to explain his comments by the National Broadcasting Council (ESR).